Private dental care is becoming more prominent as NHS waiting times become longer. The decision to take out private insurance is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong answer. Under the NHS everyone is entitled to free treatment, but it is increasingly hard to find a dentist willing to take on new patients.
The system for financing dental treatment varies according to where you live:
- England & Wales: Tri-band system – patients must pay at least one tier
- Scotland: Dental examinations are free with patients having to pay 80% of their treatment, to a max of £384
- Northern Ireland: Patients must pay for their initial exam and again up to 80% of their treatment
Free dental care is available to everyone under the age of 18, students in full time education aged 19 and under and other special groups (e.g. pregnant, low income).
There are wide variations in the number of dental schemes available and the protection they offer. For simple dental insurance schemes there is no need for a dental inspection prior to getting cover, with policies covering treatment, injuries and emergency work but not cosmetic dentistry. The only comprehensive site for finding the cheapest dental insurance is moneysupermarket.com although Bupa, Tesco, Denplan, CIGNA and WPA are not included in the search.
